This research focuses on how Gournay's discovery of Montaigne unleased a powerful force which would bring her to take up the pen, but at the same time, it would produce a counterfashioning as Gournay would forever be framed in Montaigne's light.

Current research

I am currently investigating the fundamental (if controversial) part that Marie de Gournay has played in the Birth of the writer that Alain Viala has situated in the seventeenth century. Theoretical concepts relevant to my study include: first, the notion of strategies both towards ones writing and career ; second, the development of literary property - as copyrights, privileges and state-sponsored patronage became hotly-debated issues at that time; third the concept of duplicity, through which writers sought consecration by creating different images of themselves within various literary fields and social circles.
After additional research on the theoretical angles of scape-goating and sacrifice, I would also like to extend my current research on Gournays reception to critical anthologies and textbooks from the late 18th through the 21th century to see what part (if any) she is made to play in them.

Current research

I am currently investigating the fundamental (if controversial) part that Marie de Gournay has played in the Birth of the writer that Alain Viala has situated in the seventeenth century. Theoretical concepts relevant to my study include: first, the notion of strategies both towards ones writing and career ; second, the development of literary property - as copyrights, privileges and state-sponsored patronage became hotly-debated issues at that time; third the concept of duplicity, through which writers sought consecration by creating different images of themselves within various literary fields and social circles.
After additional research on the theoretical angles of scape-goating and sacrifice, I would also like to extend my current research on Gournays reception to critical anthologies and textbooks from the late 18th through the 21th century to see what part (if any) she is made to play in them.